National Western Stock Show Could Be Moving To Aurora

Officials Will Partner With Gaylord Entertainment

7:21 AM, Jun 28, 2011

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The National Western Stock Show may be leaving Denver and moving to Aurora.

The request from the stock show was disclosed Tuesday to the Denver City Council.

According to the Denver Post, it's a reversal from the stock show's previous plan, which was to move the complex to a site within the city of Denver near Denver International Airport. City officials said it would conflict with management of the airport.

Stock show representatives said they will partner with a proposed $824 million Gaylord Entertainment hotel and conference center in seeking up to $300 million in subsidies and tax credits from Aurora and Colorado.

Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer said the city expects to recoup the tax incentives given to Gaylord through the 1,800 permanent jobs the hotel is expected to generate and through luring new tourism dollars to the area.

According to a news release, the hotel and resort would have 1,500 rooms, 400,000 square feet of exhibition and meeting space, and a dramatic atrium setting offering panoramic views of the full Rocky Mountain vista, from Longs Peak down to Pikes Peak.

It would be located on 85 acres near Tower Road and Pena Boulevard less than 10 minutes from Denver International Airport. Denver has a contract with the stock show that runs through 2040.

Stock show officials said they intend to negotiate with the Denver City Council for a release from the lengthy lease.

In order to complete the deal, the stock show said the following conditions would have to be met:

Aurora Regional Tourism funds would need to be approved, which could take up to 12 months.

A possible intergovernmental agreement between Denver and Aurora would need to be reached on a jointly owned entity where revenue would be shared.

General obligation bonds would need to be placed on the ballot by the Denver City Council and approved by the voters of Denver at some point in the future.

The stock show stressed in a news release on Tuesday that no agreements have been reached with Denver or Aurora regarding the proposed move.

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